Agenus Cell Therapy and Checkpoint Antibody Combinations Show Curative Preclinical Efficacy at AACR 2020

Rhea-AI Summary

Agenus Inc. (NASDAQ: AGEN) presented significant findings on its anti-CTLA-4 therapy, AGEN1181, during the AACR 2020 Virtual Annual Meeting. The therapy has exhibited promising clinical activity in early trials and demonstrated curative responses in preclinical models resistant to anti-PD-1. Dr. Antoine Tanne highlighted the potential of combining AGEN1181 with allogeneic cell therapies to enhance treatment effectiveness against solid tumors. The presentation aimed to expand the therapeutic use of immunotherapy in cancer treatment.

Positive

• AGEN1181 demonstrated exciting clinical activity in early phase 1 trials.
• Preclinical models showed curative responses when combined with AGEN1181.
• Potential to enhance treatment of resistant solid tumors through innovative combinations.

Negative

• None.

LEXINGTON, Mass., June 22, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Agenus Inc. (NASDAQ: AGEN), an immuno-oncology company with an extensive pipeline of checkpoint antibodies, cell therapy, adjuvants, and vaccines designed to activate immune response to cancers and infections, announced that it will make a scientific presentation today on optimal anti-cancer combinations with Fc enhanced anti-CTLA-4, AGEN1181, at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) 2020 Virtual Annual Meeting.

"AGEN1181 is an Fc-engineered anti-CTLA-4 that has shown exciting clinical activity in an early phase 1 clinical trial, which was recently presented at ASCO," said Dr. Antoine Tanne, Lead Scientist, Agenus Immune Biology Team.  "Today, at AACR, we report that combinations with AGEN1181 demonstrate curative responses in preclinical models resistant to anti-PD-1.  These data illustrate the potential of combining allogeneic cell therapies with checkpoint antibodies, such as AGEN1181, to deliver curative benefit in difficult to treat settings."

Title: "Expanding the therapeutic potential of anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4 therapy with innovative Fc engineering and rationale combinations for the treatment of solid tumors"
Presenter:     Antoine J. Tanne. Ph.D
Abstract:        922 / 24
Session:        Combination Immunotherapies 1
Date/Time:    June 22, 2020, 9am-6pm

Presentations will be available for on-demand viewing online at https://www.abstractsonline.com/pp8/#!/9045/sessions/@sessiontype=Virtual%20Symposium/1

About Agenus
Agenus is a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company focused on the discovery and development of therapies that engage the body's immune system to fight cancer and infections. The Company's vision is to expand the patient populations benefiting from cancer immunotherapy by pursuing combination approaches that leverage a broad repertoire of antibody therapeutics, adoptive cell therapies (through its AgenTus Therapeutics subsidiary), and proprietary cancer vaccine platforms. The Company is equipped with a suite of antibody discovery platforms and a state-of-the-art GMP manufacturing facility with the capacity to support clinical programs. Agenus is headquartered in Lexington, MA. For more information, please visit www.agenusbio.com and our Twitter handle @agenus_bio. Information that may be important to investors will be routinely posted on our website and twitter.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the federal securities laws, including statements regarding the therapeutic potential of combining allogeneic cell therapies with antibodies such as AGEN1181. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include, among others, the factors described under the Risk Factors section of our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Agenus cautions investors not to place considerable reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this release. These statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and Agenus undertakes no obligation to update or revise the statements, other than to the extent required by law. All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

Contact:
Agenus Inc. 
Jennifer Buell, PhD
781-674-4420 
Jennifer.Buell@agenusbio.com 

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SOURCE Agenus Inc.

FAQ

What were the key findings presented by Agenus at AACR 2020?

Agenus presented that AGEN1181 exhibited curative responses in preclinical models resistant to anti-PD-1 therapies.

What is AGEN1181 and its significance?

AGEN1181 is an Fc-engineered anti-CTLA-4 therapy showing promising clinical activity in early trials, with potential to enhance treatment efficacy in difficult-to-treat cancer settings.

When did Agenus present its findings at the AACR 2020 event?

Agenus presented its findings on June 22, 2020, at the AACR 2020 Virtual Annual Meeting.

How does AGEN1181 combine with other cancer therapies?

Dr. Antoine Tanne indicated the potential of combining AGEN1181 with allogeneic cell therapies to improve treatment outcomes for patients with solid tumors.